This website is intended to provide clear, accurate information regarding The NRA Foundation, Inc. (“Foundation”), its mission, and its governance. Its purpose is to establish baseline facts, correct material mischaracterizations, and provide transparency regarding the Foundation’s legal obligations and operations.
INTRODUCTION
Key Information
NRA CLAIMS
Historical Clarity
The Foundation is simply an extension of the NRA.
The NRA Foundation was incorporated in 1990 as a District of Columbia nonprofit corporation and has operated for more than three decades as a separate 501(c)(3) public charity.
Donor Protection
The Foundation should allow the NRA to direct its charitable funds.
Federal law requires 501(c)(3) charities to maintain independence and control over their funds to protect tax-deductible contributions and donor intent.
Governance
The Foundation recently changed its structure to distance itself from the NRA.
Governance updates were implemented starting in August 2024 following a Consent Judgment with the District of Columbia Attorney General to strengthen oversight and protect charitable independence.
The Foundation “Seeks to Jettison Its Historic Purpose of Supporting NRA Charitable Programs”.
Since the 1990s, the Foundation has supported hundreds of charitable programs nationwide, many of which have no corporate affiliation with the NRA. These include Boy Scouts troops and councils, 4-H groups, Olympic-level marksmanship programs, local law enforcement training initiatives, and other community-based efforts.
The Foundation also continues to fund eligible charitable programs operated by the NRA, such as the Eddie Eagle Program, Hunter Education, and shooting competitions, subject to grant policies and legal requirements.
(Source: 2024 Form 990)
The Foundation has not abandoned, and does not intend to abandon, funding charitable programs operated by the NRA and similar groups. It will continue to fund such programs in a manner consistent with its mission, internal policies, and applicable law. In fact, in 2026 the Foundation has funded millions in grants to the NRA’s charitable programs.
The Foundation “has slashed its support for NRA programs”.
As stated above, the Foundation continues to fund eligible charitable programs operated by the NRA, such as the Eddie Eagle Program, Hunter Education, and shooting competitions, subject to grant policies and legal requirements. In fact, the Foundation has agreed to fund more than $7 million in qualifying expenses for charitable programs administered by the NRA in 2026.
The Foundation has “dishonor[ed] the intent of the millions of Americans who contributed to the Foundation” to support NRA programs.
The Foundation has never wavered from its charitable mission. The NRA’s insistence that more than 20% of charitable donations fund purported overhead expenses to operate its charitable programs dishonors donor intent. The Foundation has declined to fund these and other expenses.
The Foundation is now attempting to “separate itself from the NRA”.
The Foundation has always been a separate and independent entity regulated under various laws related to charities. That has not changed. The Foundation has worked to develop greater independence from the NRA to avoid future attempts by the NRA to exercise undue influence and control over the Foundation and its assets. The Foundation nonetheless wanted to continue to support the 501(c)(3) programs of the NRA and will continue to do so subject to NRA’s obligation to comply with Foundation grant policies, applicable law, and to be good stewards of the charitable funding it receives.
The Foundation “Intends to Hijack the NRA’s Trademark”.
The Foundation’s legal name is The NRA Foundation, Inc. It has used this name continuously since its formation in 1990—more than 35 years ago.
The NRA did not previously object to the Foundation’s use of its legal name, nor did it seek payment related to that use prior to the current dispute. The Foundation disputes that the NRA has the right to do so now.
“All or Substantially All” funds raised by the Foundation were raised by the NRA or through NRA Trademarks.
The Foundation funds 100% of its own fundraising efforts. This historically included paying the salaries and benefits of staff involved in Foundation fundraising activities, including NRA employees who support those efforts.
Because the NRA is not a 501(c)(3) organization, it cannot itself solicit tax-deductible charitable donations. Donors seeking tax-deductible contributions must donate to a qualified charitable organization such as the Foundation, which is required to retain control and discretion over the use of those funds until they are applied to eligible charitable purposes.
The Foundation remains committed to fulfilling its charitable mission in a lawful, transparent, and responsible manner.
The Foundation Board and management continue to exercise oversight and discretion of its 501(c)(3) funds raised, consistent with nonprofit law, regulatory requirements, and the Foundation’s governing documents, with the goal of protecting donor intent, charitable assets, and the Foundation’s tax-exempt status.
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